HarleyEarl

July 18, 2006 Rear-wheel drive on the rise, analyst says Richmond Hill, Ontario - While front-wheel drive (FWD) still accounts for the majority of vehicles, rear-wheel drive (RWD) is making a comeback in passenger cars, says industry analyst Dennis DesRosiers. The first generation of mainstream FWD vehicles were embraced by Canadian consumers in the early 1980s, DesRosiers says; in 1982, 46.6 per cent of Canadian passenger cars were FWD, while that number increased to 94.8 per cent by 2001, with RWD remaining almost exclusively in low-volume luxury and sports cars. The last year RWD cars represented the majority of passenger car sales was in 1981. Light trucks (including SUVs) still account for the majority of the RWD market, taking 54.3 per cent in 2005, but FWD trucks are on an upswing, with an increase from 38.5 per cent of the market in 2000 to 45.7 per cent in 2005. However, DesRosiers says that a recovery in RWD passenger cars has taken place in the last four years, and the 9.5 per cent sold in 2005 was the highest percentage since 1989. In 2001, 34 RWD cars were available, but in 2005, the number increased to fifty. "This recovery is no doubt a result of several important vehicles, including all variants of DaimlerChrysler's LX platform (Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger), as well as the Cadillac CTS, Smart Fortwo, Mazda RX-8, Nissan 350Z and Infiniti G35," DesRosiers says. "All of these RWD vehicles were introduced between 2002 and 2005, and all have proven successful. Unlike in previous years, vehicle classes outside the luxury/sport arena are represented. "The standard criticism of rear drive is that it's bad in the snow, but today's vehicles allay these fears with effective traction and stability control systems," DesRosiers says

Merger of GM and Ford? http://www.clickondetroit.com/automotive/9531269/detail.html

Oh I hear what you are saying. I am definitely a Buick purest as well. But I do recognize that this car is part of Buick history and I personally like them. It is my favorite version of this car. I mean there are countless examples of thinly veiled badge engineering at GM and others. Here is the '75:

A song from a 'thousand' years ago from some ancient English rockers from England just does not create a hip contemporary image for American iconic Cadillac. I'd shudder everytime those ads would come on. The lame ad campaign is dead. Long live Cadillac!

No more "Rock and Roll" Cadillac to drop Zeppelin song for new ad campaign By JAMIE LAREAU | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS AutoWeek | Published 07/17/06, 8:33 am et DETROIT -- General Motors is breaking from its "Break Through" Cadillac campaign and dropping Led Zeppelin's song "Rock and Roll" as its soundtrack. The move is meant to attract younger affluent buyers from foreign luxury rivals, industry sources say. Cadillac will unveil a new campaign in a series of print ads late this month, followed by TV spots to air in mid-August, a Cadillac spokesman confirms. The new campaign will not have a theme song. It will be more "story oriented" to build the brand's image, say dealers who have seen the storyboards. A spokesman for Cadillac would not confirm details. Cadillac introduced the "Break Through" campaign in TV commercials during the 2002 Super Bowl. "I was lobbying to change it months ago," says Howard Drake, co-owner of Casa Automotive Group in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Drake sells Hummer, Saab and Cadillac vehicles. "It's been four or five years now." But Jacques Moore, owner of Moore Cadillac in Richmond, Va., saw the storyboards and says: "The kindest way to describe it is getting back to mainstream. I'm not entirely for it." Moore concedes that Cadillac's new ad agency, Boston-based Modernista, invented the popular "Monsters" spot for Hummer. "So these guys are really sharp and very hip," he says. "They might have a point."

It's not offensive. It is just more of the same safe, bland styling that has been around for years. It already looks dated. It looks like so many cars already on the market. This is a car that GM/Holden should have been doing ten years ago.

I may be of a small number, but I like these 70's Buick Skylarks. This is the '77. The grille is quite intricate and refined...much in the Buick idiom.

Harley, Please back the pic of the Dodge Magnum fighter Chevy concept....... and any other views that you might have of it. To me it looks like a Nomad on steroids....... or should be! What is with this fear of bringing back a 2-dr. wagon/pickup? I would love to see a concept of this sort, your magnum fighter, with the sliding roof feature like the Envoy XUVs had! That would combine the best of an ElCamino and the Nomads in one helluva car/truck............. and sure would offer a choice! If it was labeled a Buick and had a turbocharged V-6....... WOW!!!!!! 167448[/snapback] Here's the pic of the Chevy Impala, Magnum fighter: I totally agree about the 2-door wagon/suv thing. It used to be that mainstream cars had every possible configuration. Now all we get is 4-door post sedans/wagons with low liftovers at the rear. I'm so tired of the practical/Consumer's Report approach to everything....give us some style and variety...4-doors is almost becoming dated...time for a change. I for one am willing to give up a bit of practicality for the sake of some style or uniqueness. I'd be first in line for a 2-door large wagon/suv. I love them. I grew up with a multitude of coupes and convertibles around and there was even something special about having to push the front seat-back forward to get in....it said to me it was a special car.....and we managed as a family very well.

Razoredge, that has to be one of the purest, most beautiful sports cars ever made.

RKM, even if it was half that showcar, it would be beautiful. The current Buick lineup just leaves me cold. After much initial fanfare, the LaCrosse and Lucerne, when seen on the street are just so-so. No excitement, no yearning to own one. I will impatiently wait for Buick to become what it once was.

The Weeds Connection: they probably were trying to create a stealthy enigma. Hush, it's a Chevrolet Opala...shhh...so hip, so cool. I love old ads like this!

Hey ocnblu......thanks for the sentiment...I missed yours too! You are right, it does seem more Aussie. I had never heard of the Opala before. Here is the Opala SS:

1974 Chevrolet Opala from Brazil. It looks like it has Opel lines. Opel plus Impala equals 'Opala'?

The 1914 Marr. Note it is only one person wide.

The Desoto pickup marketed outside the US.

Buick Wildcat III:

rkmdogs, It's a rumoured Dodge Magnum fighter that Chevy is considering. What it could be like...a rendition. I love it. Here's another of my favorite Buicks: The '72 Buick GS: Fantastic!

1958 Buick XP-756 Showcar:

1967 Buick Skylark. Pure, clean, perfect Buick design. It all came together in this car.

I have so many favorites. Here are two of them. One from the '50s and one from the 60s.

Hey thanks GM1.....I really appreciate that. And by the way, that '61 Olds 98 you posted is just simply incredible. Love that frontend. Designs like this is what made GM so great and me such a fan.

Here is an Oldsmobile pickup. I've also included a Buick version. Does anyone know the history of these?....were they one-offs by individuals or was it an aftermarket thing? Did GM have anything to do with it? 1942 Buick Pickup

Correct. Great bit of Olds history.

Hey Sly!....no haven't seen the new Olds aquisition. Show me! This is a '54 Citroen.....anyone know what it has to do with GM and Oldsmobile? (It's a photo of the actual car)